Sock matching apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for matching socks or other substantially identical objects comprises a first sock with a first symbol disposed on it and a second sock with a second symbol disposed on it. The second symbol is non-identical to and associated with the first symbol. The symbols may be associated with each other by comprising a query and response, different representations of the same concept, two parts of a whole, source or origin, and other associations. The apparatus and method assist in matching as well as in teaching desired concepts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 Field of the Invention

This invention relates to matching apparatuses and methods, and moreparticularly to sock matching apparatuses and methods.

2 Description of the Related Art

The difficulty of pairing a set of matching socks is a problem that hasbeen around at least as long as socks have been around. Various methodshave been proposed for assisting in the pairing of matching socks,including marking an identical sign on each sock (e.g., “Tommy's blacksocks”) for matching purposes. Other methods include putting a set ofidentical decals on the socks or simply matching them the old-fashionedway, by size, shape, texture, pattern, and color. Other prior artapparatuses include marking the socks with their particular color(marking a blue sock with the word “blue,” for example) for teachingcolor to children or to assist people who are color-blind.

What prior art apparatuses and methods have failed to recognize is thatthe problem of matching socks brings with it a teaching opportunity,regarding both how to match socks as well as other types of knowledge,including telling time, languages, geography, reading, mathematics, andjust about any other field of knowledge.

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor a matching apparatus and method that overcome the problems of theprior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable matching apparatuses and methods. Accordingly, the presentinvention has been developed to provide a matching apparatus and methodthat overcome many or all shortcomings in the art.

In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for matching socks includesa first sock with a first symbol disposed on it, and a second sock witha second symbol disposed on it. The second symbol is non-identical toand associated with the first symbol. In one embodiment, the firstsymbol comprises a query, and the second symbol comprises a response tothe query. In another embodiment, the second symbol comprises arepresentation of the first symbol in different form. In anotherembodiment, the first symbol comprises part of a whole and the secondsymbol comprises the other part of the whole. In another embodiment, thesecond symbol indicates the source of the first symbol.

In a further aspect of the invention, a sock-matching method includesmatching a first sock having a first symbol with a second sock having asecond symbol, the second symbol being non-identical to and associatedwith the first symbol. In one embodiment, matching the first sock withthe second sock comprises choosing the second sock from a plurality ofthird socks.

In a further aspect of the invention, a matching apparatus comprises afirst symbol placed on a first member of a pair of substantiallyidentical objects, and a second symbol placed on a second member of apair of substantially identical objects. The second symbol isnon-identical to and associated with the first symbol. In oneembodiment, the first member comprises a first sock and the secondmember comprises a second sock. In a further embodiment, each symbol isdisposed near the toe of its respective sock, with the top of eachsymbol oriented toward the toe of its respective sock and the bottom ofeach symbol oriented toward the heel of its respective sock. Aconnective symbol may be disposed on one or both of the socks.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

The described features, advantages, and characteristics of the inventionmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may bepracticed without one or more of the specific features or advantages ofa particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features andadvantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not bepresent in all embodiments of the invention. These features andadvantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, or may be learned by thepractice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention will berendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in theappended drawings, which depict only typical embodiments of theinvention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a pair of socks on whichare disposed associated symbols according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a pair of socks onwhich are disposed associated symbols according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another embodiment illustrating a pair ofsocks on which are disposed associated symbols according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment illustrating a pair ofsocks on which are disposed associated symbols according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a plurality of socks, illustrating anembodiment of a method of choosing matching socks according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating the method ofclaim 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the inventionmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are provided toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventionmay be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a pair of stockings or socks 100 comprises afirst sock 102 and a second sock 104. A symbol 106, being a graphicalrepresentation of the fraction ⅓, is disposed on the toe of the sock102. A symbol 108, being a numeric representation of the fraction ⅓, isdisposed on the sock 104. The symbols 106 and 108 are not the same, butare associated with one another (in this case, comprising two differentways of representing the same mathematical concept) such that a userlooking to pair the socks will, by observing the symbols 106 and 108,and the relationship therebetween, recognize that the socks 102 and 104are designed to be paired. Additionally, in handling, donning, andwearing the sock pair 100, depending on the placement and orientation ofthe symbols, the user will observe the symbols and their relationshipwith each other, reinforcing the concept in his mind.

As will be further seen below, one type of relationship between the twosymbols according to the invention is an explicit query and answer, suchas the first symbol comprising the question “43^(rd) U.S. president?”and the second symbol comprising the answer “George W. Bush.” Anotherrelationship is an implicit query and answer, such as the question notedabove without the question mark, a mathematical problem, or otherimplicit query, such as “blue and yellow,” with the answer being“green.” The order of the query and answer as viewed by the user may bereversed, with each symbol comprising an answer to the implicit query ofthe other.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a pair of socks 200 comprises a first sock 202and a second sock 204. A symbol 206, being a numeric representation ofthe time 7:05, is disposed near the top of the sock 202. A symbol 208,being an analog representation of the time 7:05 as displayed on astandard analog clock, is disposed near the top of the sock 204. Insimilar fashion to the sock pair 100, the symbols 206 and 208 disposedon the sock pair 200 ease pairing of the socks 202 and 204 by theassociation between the symbols, in this case, being differentrepresentations of the time 7:05. As shown, the symbols 206 and 208 aredisposed on a location of the socks 202 and 204 different from thatshown in FIG. 1, in this case, near the top of the sock. Depending onthe preference of the user, the symbols may be disposed in any locationon the sock—toe, heel, leg, instep, sole, etc.—and associated symbolsneed not be disposed at the same respective locations, i.e., in the caseof sock pair 200, the symbol 206 might be disposed on the heel of thesock 202 while the symbol 208 might be disposed on the sole of the sock204. Different respective locations for associated symbols providevariety, while the same respective locations provide uniformity andpredictability.

Most socks are designed to be substantially identical, i.e., displayingthe same basic pattern, color, size, etc. Nevertheless, some of thesesubstantially identical socks are designed such that one should be wornon the user's right foot while the other should be worn on the left.Examples include child's socks with bows, ribbons, or other decorationsdisposed on one side of the sock, the decorations being configured fordisplay on the outside surface of the leg. Other examples include sockscut to fit around individual toes of the foot.

If the socks 202 and 204 of the pair 200 are each designed for wear on aparticular foot, the symbols 206 and 208 may be located on the sockssuch that they are symmetrical around a center line. For example, if thesock 202 is designed to be worn on the right foot and the sock 204 isdesigned to be worn on the left foot, the symbol 206 may be located onthe sock 202 such that it is located on the right side of the sock,i.e., on the outside of the user's foot when the socks are placed on thecorrect feet. Similarly, the symbol 208 may be disposed on the left sideof the sock 204.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a pair of socks 300 comprises a first sock 302and a second sock 304. The socks 200 are shown in top plan view, withthe heel and leg oriented toward the bottom of the page and the toeoriented toward the top of the page. A symbol or set of symbols 306,comprising the mathematical problem 2+2, is disposed on or near the toeof the sock 302. A symbol 307 comprising the connective symbol <,meaning “less than,” is disposed to the right of the symbol 306 on thetoe of the sock 302. A symbol 308, comprising the number 5, is disposedon or near the toe of the sock 304.

The symbols 306 and 308 are oriented with the top of the symbol towardthe toe of the sock and the bottom of the symbol toward the heel or topof the sock such that the user can see them in their proper orientation,i.e., right side up, while the sock pair 300 is being worn.

The association between the symbols 306 and 308 is one of mathematicalinequality; the symbol 306 (2+2) is less than the symbol 308 (5), asindicated by the connective symbol 307 (<). The connective symbol 307 orother mathematical connective symbols including =,-, /,>,*,≡,≠,√,≈, andothers may be used in conjunction with a set of socks according to theinvention that have disposed thereon symbols that have a mathematicalrelationship.

Other connective symbols may be used for symbols that are associatedwith each other, but not necessarily mathematically. These symbols maycomprise, for example, -, →,?, or letters and words such as “is the sameas,” “is the capitol of,” “is from,” “uses,” “is within,” or otherconnective language or other symbology, according to the particularembodiment. The connective symbol may be disposed on either sock, orspread between both socks (such as splitting the connective symbol “iswithin” between the left and right socks such that “is” is on the leftsock and “within” is on the right sock). If used, the connective symbolserves as further guidance for the user to associate the symbols, aswell as to indicate which sock is configured to be placed on the leftfoot, and which on the right.

If a connective symbol is not used, generally it will make no differencewhich sock is placed on the left foot and which on the right, as symbolsplaced on them according to the invention will generally associate witheach other whatever order they are placed in.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a pair of socks 400 comprises a first sock 402and a second sock 404. A symbol (meaning a single symbol or set ofsymbols) 406, comprising the letters “ch,” is disposed on or near thetoe of the sock 402. A symbol 407 comprising the connective symbol “-”is disposed on the toe of the sock 304 to the left of a symbol 408,which symbol 408 comprises the letters “ick.” The sock 402 is designedfor wear on the user's left foot, with the sock 404 designed for wear onthe user's right foot, such that the symbols 406, 407, and 408 show“ch-ick,” or, without the connective symbol 407, the word “chick.” Suchsymbols are useful for teaching or reinforcing reading. Note that in thecase of the sock pair 400, the connective symbol 407 is disposed on thesock 404 (the right sock), as opposed to the left sock 402 in the sockpair 400.

Table 1, below, illustrates examples of associated symbols that maybeplaced on sock pairs according to the present invention. It alsoillustrates examples of connective symbols that may be used with theassociated symbols, if desired. As will be apparent to those skilled inthe art in light of this disclosure, the connective symbols areoptional. If they are used, in certain embodiments they may be placedeither on the left sock (at the right of the first symbol) or on theright sock (at the left of the second symbol). As will also be apparent,the first and second symbols may be reversed in order if the connectivesymbols are not used. If the connective symbols are used, the order ofthe first and second symbols often may still be reversed, though thenature of some connective symbols makes the order of their associatedfirst and second symbols unchangeable.

The symbols in Table 1 are only examples of almost innumerable symbolsand combinations of symbols possible according to the present invention,as long as they are associated in some way.

TABLE 1 First Symbol Connective Symbol Second Symbol blue triangle ≡

25¢ is the same as

Three = III thank you in Spanish is gracias

is a mountain Nose looks like

Salt Lake City is the capitol of

best in cursive is best

starts with Z “Jesus wept.” is from John 11:35 Mt. Kilimanjaro is inKenya yellow and blue → green Utah uses Mountain Standard Time

The schematic flow chart and method schematic diagrams that follow aregenerally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, thedepicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of thepresented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that areequivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, orportions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the formatand symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of themethod and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Althoughvarious arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chartdiagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of thecorresponding method. Some arrows or other connectors may be used toindicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow mayindicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration betweenenumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order inwhich a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to theorder of the corresponding steps shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a method 600 of choosing matching socks622 and 624 from a plurality of socks is illustrated. The method 600begins (block 602 in FIG. 6), and a plurality of socks 620 is provided(block 604), for instance, a basket of socks after the laundry is done.Each sock contained within the plurality of socks 620 may or may nothave a symbol disposed thereon, but at least two socks must each have asymbol disposed thereon according to the present invention. A first sock622 having disposed thereon a symbol 623 is chosen from the plurality ofsocks 620 (block 606). In the illustrated embodiment, the symbol 623 isan upper-case “A,” though any symbol may be used. A second sock 624having disposed thereon a symbol 625 which is associated with the symbol623 is then chosen from the plurality of socks 620 (block 608). In theillustrated embodiment, the symbol 625 is a lower-case “a,” though anysymbol associated with the symbol 623 may be used. The line 626 (FIG. 5)indicates the association between the socks 622 and 624 due to thesymbols 623 and 625, respectively. The method then ends (block 610).

It can be seen that in the present invention, socks are more readilypaired together by providing symbols on the socks, each symbol beingassociated with a symbol disposed on the matching sock, with or withouta connective symbol clarifying the nature of the association. Inaddition to easing sock matching, the invention provides for educationof youngsters and others who may be learning to read, learningarithmetic, other mathematical functions, geography, differentlanguages, textual citations, shapes, or any of a multitude of otherprinciples.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. (canceled)
 2. The method of claim 12, wherein the first symbolcomprises a query and the second symbol comprises a response to thequery.
 3. The method of claim 12, wherein the first symbol comprises aproblem and the second symbol comprises an answer to the problem.
 4. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the second symbol comprises a representationof the first symbol in different form.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe first symbol comprises a graphical representation and the secondsymbol comprises a text description.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinthe first symbol comprises text in a first language and the secondsymbol comprises a translation of the text into a second language. 7.(canceled)
 8. The method of claim 12, wherein the first symbol comprisesa representation of two or more parts and the second symbol comprises arepresentation of a combination of the parts.
 9. The method of claim 12,wherein the first symbol comprises a first geographical feature and thesecond symbol comprises a second geographical feature encompassing thefirst geographical feature.
 10. The method of claim 12, wherein thefirst symbol comprises a letter and the second symbol represents anobject beginning with the letter.
 11. The method of claim 12, whereinthe first symbol comprises text and the second symbol indicates thesource of the text.
 12. A sock-matching and teaching method for use withsocks capable of being worn under shoes, the method comprising:providing a first sock having a first symbol disposed thereon; matchingthe first sock with a second sock having a second symbol disposedthereon, the second symbol being non-directional, in that an order ofthe symbols does not impact matching by association, and non-identicalrelative to the first symbol, the second symbol being non-symmetric withthe first symbol, and associated with the first symbol other than byproviding a part of an image that together with the first symbol forms awhole image; and teaching or reinforcing a fact unrelated to the socksby the step of matching.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein matchingthe first sock with the second sock comprises choosing the second sockfrom a plurality of third socks.
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein each symbol is disposed near a toe of itsrespective sock, with the top of each symbol oriented toward the toe ofits respective sock and the bottom of each symbol oriented toward a heelof its respective sock.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled) 20.(canceled)
 21. (canceled)